Triple Crown Syndications’ owners celebrated a fairy tale day with the stable scoring a Group 1 and Group 3 winning double at Doomben on Saturday. The day was even sweeter for those owners lucky enough to hold shares in both winners!
Charlie Boy (Myboycharlie ex Maritime) scored by half a length for trainers Peter & Paul Snowden in the $125,000 Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), taking his record to 3 wins (including the Group 2 Danehill Stakes) and 3 placings (including the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes & Group 2 Premiere Stakes) from 16 starts for $468,775 earnings.
Charlie Boy, who is a grandson of Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Pontal Lass, was purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $80,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Newhaven Park.
The four-year-old was having only his second start for the Snowden’s after finishing fifth in last month’s Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick, and was piloted expertly by an in-form Blake Shinn.
Snowden said the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 was the logical next step for Charlie Boy before then progressing on to the $2 million Stradbroke Handicap on June 6.
River Lad became the first horse to complete the BRC Sprint-Stradbroke double 12 months ago and market framers are anticipating it happening again, with Charlie Boy the biggest market mover from Saturday’s racing.
Talented gelding Hot Snitzel (Snitzel ex Flames Of Paris) then produced the day’s second Triple Crown winner; delivering a monumental turn of foot to charge down resounding favourite Our Boy Malachi and win the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m); delivering Shinn a fifth victory for the day and Group 1 double.
At 31-1, Hot Snitzel found a good rhythm and received an ideal run in transit. Shinn kept the son of Snitzel balanced as the rest of the field began to press forward, and while momentarily dropping off the pace of the Team Hawkes leader, mustered an exceptional turn of foot to charge forward and capture the lead; opening a gap of nearly a length when crossing the line ahead of a fast-finishing Knoydart and Our Boy Malachi maintaining for third.
“The speed was quite genuine,” winning hoop Shinn said.
“I was so impressed by this horse’s enthusiasm.
“Geez he tried so hard.”
Last year’s BTC Cup winner Famous Seamus went on to run in the two other Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival Group 1’s, which could now also be on the agenda for Hot Snitzel.
As well as taking the Snowden’s Group 1 tally since leaving Darley to five, this win also elevated Hot Snitzel into the millionaires club. He has now earned $1.22 million in prizemoney with eight wins from 34 starts.
Triple Crown owners enjoyed every minute of their quirky gelding’s Group 1 victory who has always been a stable favourite.
Images. Darren Winningham
“He’s overcome so much and now he has the elusive Group 1 win he’s always deserved, we’re so proud of him!” Patricia Nicholls commented.
Snowden said “These people they are coming up to me and shaking,”
“Everyone of them wanted to shake my hand and they are shaking.”
“It is just great because they didn’t expect this. They have been racing this horse for a long time. He has been a very good horse but he’s got a Group 1 now.”
The ride continues as owners now look toward the $2 million Stradbroke Handicap potentially meeting Triple Crown stable mates Charlie Boy and Dothraki.
Congratulations to all connections!
